Your Birthday is More Than a Milestone
It’s a cosmic reset—a powerful energetic checkpoint.
After eight years of working deeply with astrology, I’ve developed a birthday ritual rooted in reflection, intention setting, and what I like to call self-celebration. Here’s how I align with the stars each year:

1. Work with Your Profections
This ancient Hellenistic technique is my favorite birthday tool. It gives you a clear theme for the year ahead by showing which house and planet rule your solar year.
Before my birthday, I reflect on the house I’m wrapping up—what I’ve learned, what’s shifting. Then, I look at the new house and ruling planet I’m stepping into. For example, I’m entering a 7th House year ruled by Virgo/Mercury. So I’ve been laying groundwork in partnerships, improving communication, and checking in with my partner. (I break this down more in the video.)

2. Review Significant Transits
Take a look at where the outer planets are in relation to your natal chart. If they’re four or five signs away from key placements, you’re likely experiencing major transitions.
In the video, I share how my Saturn Return and Uranus transits brought unexpected changes and breakthroughs. Reflecting on these helps me mentally and emotionally integrate what I’ve been through—and ask the most important question:
What is ready to shift or move forward?

3. Study Your Solar Return Charts
Your Solar Return chart is a snapshot of the sky when the Sun returns to your natal degree. Comparing last year’s themes with the upcoming chart can reveal powerful patterns and invitations for growth.
Last year, Aries energy dominated my chart—fueling action, leadership, and a need to reflect on how I impact others. I took bold steps in my goals and learned a lot in the process. This year, my chart hints at stepping into a more emotional or nurturing role. (Could motherhood be in the cards? We’ll see!)
You’ll also hear me discuss how the Aries themes are shifting from personal to professional—especially in relation to my career path.

4. Align with Upcoming Transits
Awareness = empowerment.
Look ahead at key transits in the coming months and set supportive goals. Know when to expect challenges, opportunities for growth, and when the cosmos is giving you a green light for rest, communication, or decisive action.

Final Thoughts
Your Solar Year deserves reflection.
It’s an invitation to align with your purpose, recognize how far you’ve come, and step into your next chapter with awareness and intention.

 If you want support navigating your new year, mention you would like a Solar Return Reading with me—I’d love to explore it with you!

Venus and Mercury 

Early February we have two planets moving into new signs whose retrograde cycles mirror each other. Understanding the similarities and differences of these transits can help us become aware of what life areas we need to practise patience and neutrality.

Venus and Mercury are the two planets involved and their movement through Pisces and Aries is significant. These two zodiac signs represent the ending and beginning of cycles, the constant death and rebirth of life, patterns and ideas themselves. With the energies of Venus representing beauty, balance and ease and Mercury representing logic, messages and neutrality we can examine how our thoughts are shifting to align better with our goals and ideals. To me, the energy feels like healing after undergoing a process where your brain has been re-wired and you are experiencing things with new eyes or senses.

This Venus/Mercury cycle begins with Venus ahead of Mercury then ends with Mercury ahead of Venus. In the chart below, which identifies the different stations during this cycle the Leading Planet is identified in Green. They reach their closest conjunction to each other at the end of March/first week of April and Mercury begins to supersede in degrees. ​

Saturn is the planet of authority, structure and responsibility. Its presence adds additional energy to what I discussed above. It is pretty cool to see this cycle begin in January. With Venus and Saturn being the sole planets in Pisces for the first month of the year, it suggests we kicked off 2025 with a mixture of karma and balance as Saturn works hard to bring in order re-tracing its steps since it went retrograde in the Fall. January 18th brought an exact conjunction of the two planets and it would be helpful for people to reflect on what responsibilities they feel they are ready and willing to take on around this time. People may also gain greater emotional awareness or meaning to their goals which helps them find the motivation and urgency to take action or find patience within themselves to stay consistent. 

We can look forward to Mercury entering Pisces in February and retracing the steps of Venus here - Mercury is the planet of communication and logic so we can expect our brains to catch up to our feelings and perhaps have more mental clarity or information to take some of the actions we are hoping to take. Mercury's presence in Pisces in February also suggests that it is a potent time for creatives and people who may be channelling messages or working with their spirituality. 

While Mercury is in Pisces however, Venus has already moved into Aries and this pattern emphasizes the emotion, passion and creativity that may be superseding logic and order. If you are working on projects and feel guilty that you do not have a plan or structure you may just need to flow and practice being in the chaos until Mercury catches up and helps your energy create the right structure for you. Be patient but do not put your goals on hold for the fear of being messy or disorganized. 

The Retrogrades themselves are the perfect time for you to examine your mistakes, discomforts and perhaps make a few more mistakes so that you can correct them and gain a deeper understanding of what works for you. This is where you should use the attached chart and journal a bit or at least thing through what you are experiencing (AKA re-read this article in a month or two haha).

These retrogrades are particularly powerful as they occur in Pisces and Aries. In astrology we use Pisces and Aries to indicate the ending and beginning of cycles, or progression of a cycle and an opportunity to “level up”, be reborn into an elevated version of yourself, your goals or the responsibilities you are willing to take on. Consider how this is occurring during those retrogrades. *envision a personal montage happening 90s movie style*. No change can come without acknowledgement of what does not work and that is where Pisces' influence comes in, letting go is tough and it is hard for us to release old patterns when we have no control of other people whose actions or influence may still be aligned with the older way of being. This leads to feelings of chaos and confusion. Throughout the Piscean retrograde you need to keep the faith and understand that you are in the middle of a transformation process so things are allowed to look confusing especially with mercury's involvement which has that subconscious influence of your brain being rewired. Do your best to observe your feelings and be present with others but maintain your new boundaries and do not let others influence you as you wade through this period of transformation. 

Reflection Template: 
Consider where Aries and Pisces show up in your astrology. For any of your placements look at what houses are influenced. In the Chart below the Numbers represent the astrological houses activated for your sign
​

Use the table above to identify what life areas Pisces and Aries are influencing according to your signs. In this example I am using my Sun sign in Leo ​

Ask your self the following: 

How am I progressing in these life areas? 

What Mistakes or disappointments have occurred? 

How can I practice patience or allow more balance and harmony in these life areas right now? 

How do I need logic or my brain to catch up to my feelings? 

How have things changed after April 7th & April 16th 

(this is when the planets stationed direct or entered aries again) 

What actions am I willing to take to make these changes?

I was thrilled by the overwhelming response to my initial call for interviews. In these conversations, I explored participants' life experiences, behaviours, and personal perspectives. The first topic I want to delve into is Communication.
Through these interviews and my subsequent analysis, I discovered that whether participants practiced astrology or not, their self-described communication styles closely aligned with key astrological placements—particularly their Mercury sign and the placement of the ruler of their third house. Additionally, those with strong water elements or lunar sect charts showed notable correlations with their Moon sign’s influence over their third house, emphasizing the emotional nuances in their communication.

TLDR; Summary of Key Findings:

1. Mercury's Influence on Communication: Participants' communication styles aligned closely with the zodiac sign and house placement of Mercury in their natal charts. Mercury’s sign indicated whether they communicated directly, cautiously, or diplomatically, while the house influenced the context—such as personal identity, emotional settings, or social interactions.
   
2. The Third House Ruler’s Role: The planet ruling the third house significantly shaped each participant's approach to communication, affecting nuances like emotional depth, expressiveness, and directness, and providing deeper insight into their social interactions.
   
3. The Impact of Lunar Charts: For participants without Mercury conjunctions, their Lunar third house placement offered a clearer picture of how emotions influenced their communication styles. Without other planetary influences, their styles often reflected the core qualities of the sign ruling their Lunar third house—showing that emotional and intuitive needs play a strong role in their ability to express themselves.
   

Mercury 
Mercury’s placement in the participants’ natal charts significantly shapes how they approach communication:

• Sign Influence: The Zodiac Sign Mercury is located in influences their communication style, specifically if it is direct (e.g., Aries, Sagittarius), detail-oriented (Virgo, Capricorn), or balanced (Libra).
• House Influence: The house Mercury occupies affects the context in which communication style is most apparent, such as in personal identity (1st house), emotional settings (4th house), or social interactions (11th house).

Each participant’s description aligns closely with their Mercury sign and house placement, offering a nuanced understanding of their unique communication patterns.

Here are brief examples of what was examined.

Participant P01:

• Mercury Conjunct Moon and Sun in Cancer (10th House):
  • P01 described her communication style as emotionally linked, highlighting that her communication breaks down when emotions are high. This is directly mirrored by Mercury being conjunct both the Moon and Sun in Cancer, a sign known for its emotional depth. The placement in the 10th house also adds a layer of public or career-related pressure to communicate clearly, emphasizing her desire for preparation and structure in how she expresses herself.

1. Participant P02:
   • Mercury in Sagittarius (11th House):
     • P02 mentioned a casual approach to communication, often over-sharing or providing more information than necessary. Mercury in Sagittarius supports this tendency due to its association with a flexible, adventurous, and often blunt communication style. The placement in the 11th house of friendships and social circles also suggests that she enjoys engaging widely, which aligns with her tendency to offer too much information in conversations.
2. Participant P03:
   • Mercury Conjunct Ascendant in Aries:
     • P03 described herself as blunt and straightforward, particularly with those she is close to. This is well-reflected by her Mercury and Ascendant both being in Aries, a sign known for its directness and assertiveness. Aries’ influence gives her communication style a forthright, sometimes confrontational tone, which matches her self-description.
3. Participant P04:
   • Mercury in Virgo (4th House):
     • P04 feels that she often has "too many thoughts" and struggles to articulate them clearly unless she feels grounded. Mercury in Virgo is analytical and detail-oriented, often leading to overthinking. Positioned in the 4th house, this placement adds an emotional, home-oriented context, making her communication influenced by her sense of security. Her need to feel grounded to communicate effectively aligns with Virgo’s meticulous nature.
4. Participant P05:
   • Mercury in Leo (1st House):
     • P05 expressed a preference for written communication and highlighted her tendency to be very honest, sometimes to the point of being misunderstood. Mercury in Leo in the 1st house supports this, as it emphasizes a desire to express oneself in a dramatic, open manner. Leo’s influence brings a certain charisma to her communication but can also make it difficult for her to tone down her delivery, leading to her feeling that she sometimes comes across as too blunt.

Half of our participants had Mercury in close conjunction with other planets, this was shown to have an impact on their intperprestions. Because we only had a small sample of participants we currently do not have the data to discuss the differences between those with Mercury alone in a Sign and those with MErcury in close conjunction to a planet in the same sign.
Such as examining multiple people who have mercury in sagittarius as well as multiple people who have mercury conjunction mars or another planet in the sagittarius. To help us collect more data volunteer for an interview or share with your friends!! 

Lord of the 3rd 
What is a lord of the house?

When we say "the Lord of the 3rd house," it means we're talking about the planet that rules the zodiac sign on the 3rd house cusp of a person's chart. This planet (the "Lord") influences the themes of that house. So, if the 3rd house (which governs communication) has Gemini on its cusp, then Mercury—the ruler of Gemini—is the Lord of the 3rd house.

The planetary ruler of the third house plays a significant role in shaping how these participants communicate, highlighting different nuances like depth, expressiveness, and directness that align closely with their self-described styles and how they interact with the world around them. 

Participant P06

• 3rd House Ruler: Saturn (Capricorn on the 3rd House Cusp)
  • Ruling Planet Placement: Saturn in Aquarius, 4th House.
  • Analysis:
    • Saturn in Aquarius suggests that P06’s communication is structured but unconventional. This participant emphasized needing to feel "calm and organized" to communicate effectively, which fits Saturn's disciplined nature. The placement in the 4th house indicates that their communication style is deeply tied to emotional stability and personal security. It also suggests that there may be a need for a comfortable environment or strong internal foundation to express themselves clearly. Aquarius gives a unique edge, which means that while P06’s communication might come off as controlled, it also has an innovative quality when they feel secure.

Participant P07

• 3rd House Ruler: Mercury (Gemini on the 3rd House Cusp)
  • Ruling Planet Placement: Mercury in Leo, 11th House.
  • Analysis:
    • Mercury in Leo provides an expressive, confident way of communicating, which aligns with P07’s description of being forward and sometimes blunt. The 11th house emphasizes social interaction and community, suggesting that P07 enjoys engaging with others and feels compelled to share openly, sometimes even oversharing, as noted in her responses. The Leo influence gives a dramatic flair and a desire to be seen, which is consistent with her comfort in being blunt, especially in group settings or among friends. The placement also reflects why she might struggle with addressing conflict directly, as Leo's pride combined with the 11th house's social concerns can lead to a preference for maintaining an admired image.

Participant P08

• 3rd House Ruler: Jupiter (Sagittarius on the 3rd House Cusp)
  • Ruling Planet Placement: Jupiter in Sagittarius, 3rd House.
  • Analysis:
    • Jupiter in Sagittarius in the 3rd house is a strong placement for communication that is open, explorative, and optimistic. P08 mentioned enjoying deep mental stimulation and openness in communication, which is a direct reflection of Jupiter’s influence in Sagittarius—this is a placement that loves learning, sharing ideas, and exploring different viewpoints. With Jupiter also ruling her third house, it shows that her communication is not only direct but also carries a sense of curiosity and expansiveness. This placement aligns with her desire for consistent and meaningful exchanges, and her journey toward more assertive communication without excessive concern for pleasing others.

Participant P09

• 3rd House Ruler: Mars (Aries on the 3rd House Cusp)
  • Ruling Planet Placement: Mars in Scorpio, 10th House.
  • Analysis:
    • Mars in Scorpio adds depth and intensity to P09's communication style. P09 described herself as an over-communicator and someone who absorbs others' emotions, which makes sense with Mars in Scorpio, as this placement brings a strong emotional undertone to how one interacts. Scorpio is also deeply investigative, suggesting that P09’s communication might often go below the surface, exploring underlying emotions. The 10th house placement indicates a need for control and a desire to communicate effectively in professional or public settings, which may lead to her struggles with balance in over-communication. Mars also adds an urgency and intensity, which aligns with her difficulty in “chilling” until everyone else around her is calm.

Participant P10

• 3rd House Ruler: Venus (Libra on the 3rd House Cusp)
  • Ruling Planet Placement: Venus in Scorpio, 9th House.
  • Analysis:
    • Venus in Scorpio in the 9th house suggests that P10’s communication style is emotionally intense but also seeks a deeper understanding or exploration of ideas. P10 mentioned a preference for information, wanting details upfront, and being direct, which relates to Scorpio’s need for truth and depth. Venus’s influence adds a desire for harmonious interactions, though in Scorpio, it can lead to a more intense and probing style. The 9th house placement emphasizes learning, exploring, and sharing knowledge, indicating that P10 enjoys engaging in meaningful, exploratory conversations, which aligns with her love for writing and expressing herself creatively through deeper subjects. This placement also explains her desire to communicate clearly, avoiding misunderstandings that might otherwise cause anxiety

Lunar Chart
What is a lunar chart?

In my astrological practice, I look at three types of charts. Natal, Solar and Lunar. Natal charts are when the first house begins at the sign of your Rising sign, Solar charts begging with the sign of your Sun and Lunar with the Moon sign. Examining astrology in this way has allowed me to gain more clarity of my client's lived experience and also reveals other nuances to personality traits and thoughts. 

This is not to be confused with Lunar Sect Read more about Sect here: 

In my research, I call on the assistance of Solar and Lunar charts to confirm other statements from our volunteers that did not align with simply examining the Natal Chart or see if they add any information that was not shared. 

To begin I noticed that I needed more assistance in my analysis with the 5 members who did not have conjunctions to their mercury plancement. Those 5 are the ones I chose to focus on for my first lunar chart analysis.


 Analysis of Participants Without a Mercury Conjunction and Their Lunar Third House:
Participant P03 

• Lunar Third House: Capricorn (Moon as the 1st House cusp)
• Communication Style:
  • P03 straightforward and blunt communication style aligns with Capricorn’s practical, no-nonsense influence on the Lunar third house. Without a Mercury conjunction, the communication traits lean heavily on Capricorn’s inherent qualities, emphasizing a structured, clear approach. The lack of a conjunction may mean that her style isn’t influenced or softened by other planetary energies, making her bluntness more pronounced, especially since the Moon’s emotional expression in Capricorn tends to be reserved and deliberate.

Participant P05

• Lunar Third House: Virgo (Moon as the 1st House cusp)
• Communication Style:
  • P05 preference for written communication, where she can control tone and ensure accuracy, reflects Virgo’s analytical nature in the Lunar third house. Virgo is meticulous and detail-oriented, leading to her cautious approach to communication. The absence of a Mercury conjunction means her communication is less dynamically influenced by other energies, resulting in a style that is more purely Virgo—cautious, self-reflective, and focused on clarity. Her desire to communicate in a way that she finds comfortable aligns with the practical and somewhat perfectionist approach typical of Virgo.

Participant P06 

• Lunar Third House: Sagittarius (Moon as the 1st House cusp)
• Communication Style:
  • P06 described her communication as direct when clear and muddled when uncertain. Sagittarius as her Lunar third house suggests an open and enthusiastic approach. Without a Mercury conjunction, her communication seems driven more purely by the emotional and intuitive nature of Sagittarius. This openness can lead to clear and confident exchanges, but the lack of other planetary influences means that her communication style is less moderated, causing variability when she is uncertain. The Lunar influence in Sagittarius reflects an emotional drive to explore and express openly, but also without the grounding effect a conjunction could provide.

Participant P07 

• Lunar Third House: Libra (Moon as the 1st House cusp)
• Communication Style:
  • P07 described herself as being a people-pleaser, sometimes hesitant to address conflicts, which can lead her to over-share to maintain harmony. Libra’s influence on her Lunar third house explains her tendency toward diplomacy and harmony-seeking in communication. The absence of a Mercury conjunction makes this need for balance even more central, without other planetary energies adding different layers or influences. Libra’s emphasis on pleasing others in communication aligns well with her responses, showing that her focus is on creating equilibrium even if it means avoiding direct conflict.

Participant P10 

• Lunar Third House: Gemini (Moon as the 1st House cusp)
• Communication Style:
  • P10described herself as someone who loves information and prefers to be direct in communication to avoid misunderstandings. Gemini’s influence on her Lunar third house emphasizes versatility, curiosity, and a desire for communication to be clear and well-informed. Without a Mercury conjunction, her communication style is defined more directly by Gemini’s natural qualities—adaptability and intellectual engagement. The Lunar influence highlights an emotional need to gather and express knowledge, and her preference for details aligns well with the Gemini traits of curiosity and wanting to cover all bases.

The absence of a Mercury conjunction in these participants' charts allows their communication styles to be directly shaped by the sign ruling the Lunar third house. Without other close planetary influences, their styles tend to reflect the core nature of the signs ruling that house, resulting in communication that is largely driven by their emotional and intuitive needs, as represented by the Moon and the qualities of their Lunar third house.

What A Ride! So, to conclude this first article our research so far supports the fact  that astrology offers profound insights into how individuals communicate. The role of Mercury (to no ones surprise), was evident in shaping participants' directness, adaptability, or emotional nuances, especially when combined with the ruling planet of their third house. Participants without Mercury conjunctions showcased a purer expression of their lunar third house influences, highlighting the emotional subtleties that guide their communication.

Ultimately, whether through the Mercury sign, the ruling planet of the third house, or lunar insights, each person's way of connecting with others is deeply influenced by their cosmic blueprint. This analysis is just the beginning, inviting more exploration into the intricate connections between astrology and our everyday behaviors—particularly, how we relate, share, and express ourselves.

I can not wait to conduct more interviews to expanding this research and welcome more voices to share their stories and enrich our astrological understanding. 

If you are interested in voluntering your time to be interviewed you can book your call here.